Mary Insprucker, at-large candidate for Cary Town Council

Kristen Johnson
·10 min read

There are three contested races for Cary Town Council this year.

Typically, municipal elections are held in odd-numbered years, and the mayor and all eight council members serve four years.

This year, the mayor, one at-large seat, District B and District D, are on the ballot, while the remaining at-large seat, District A and District C, will be elected in 2025.

For the at-large seat, incumbent Lori Bush faces challengers Mary Inspruker and Matthew Gronke.

District B incumbent Don Frantz faces Michelle Craig. District D incumbent Ryan Eades faces challengers Sarika Bansal and Rachel Jordan.

Mayor Harold Weinbrecht is running unopposed.

Early voting runs through Oct. 7. Election Day is Oct. 10.

To find polling places and full details on early voting, visit the Board of Elections at wake.gov or 919-404-4040.

Name: Mary Insprucker

Age: NA

Residence: 109 Highlands Lake Drive, Cary, NC 27518

Occupation and Employer: Former consultant to the town of Cary and past regional director of a nonprofit

Education: Marygrove College and Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts

Political or civic experience: Former town of Cary candidate, consultant to Cary, the American Red Cross (board of directors), Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, Cary Women’s Giving Network, Senior Advisory

Campaign website: MaryforCary.com

Why you are running to serve Cary. Why should voters trust you with this position?

Cary’s mayor has cautioned that partisanship is a threat to our town. I’m Mary for Cary Insprucker and I will bring a balanced, reasonable, and moderate voice to Cary’s Council — no divisiveness, extremism or polarization — just laser focus on what’s right for Cary. As a centrist, all my attention will be on the priorities that truly impact your life every single day, coming from a citizen’s, not a politician’s perspective.

No government gridlock or broken promises. Your agenda is my agenda, and I am already working on the concerns I am hearing after knocking on over 1,000 doors: Affordable Housing (our kids, our firefighters, our police and teachers can’t afford to live here), Environment (tree canopy retention, storm water runoff, water quality), Safety (prevention, as many police as we need), intelligent growth (keeping up with infrastructure), safeguards for seniors (aging in place, transportation options, dedicated communication platform for Cary senior residents)

I want to ask you: Does the reason you moved to Cary still exist today? Is it still charming, family friendly, environmentally sound, and full of opportunities? If you answer, yes, that is great … but if you have areas of concern, I am the candidate who will address them.

What is Cary doing right to manage the town’s growth? If elected, what changes would you propose?

Some development is certainly needed to provide for a robust economy and jobs for our citizens. The reality is, growth is here. The issue now becomes about the infrastructure that ensures our quality of life and Cary’s “IT” factor. So, it’s about balance.

Balance means supporting initiatives that focus on:

  • Driving an agenda which secures our senior citizens’ ability to age in place

  • Keeping the charm and character of Cary

  • Not draining town resources

  • Creating communities that keep Mother Nature in mind

  • Parking lots with permeable pavement, cut curves, planters, etc. to address stormwater runoff

  • Buildings that are energy efficient, solar, with rain gardens and roof gardens

  • Addressing traffic increases and potholes, multimodal transportation

  • Maintaining tree canopies

  • Keen eye on Town budget

Many people who have lived here say they can no longer afford rent or struggle to own a home. What must Cary do for established and new residents to live here comfortably?

I am the only candidate who is an expert in affordable housing. As the regional director for one of the largest nonprofits in the Midwest, I oversaw an affordable housing program — so I know how to get this goal over the finish line including wrap-around services: job training/financial education. As a consultant to Cary, I created a proposed framework for corporate philanthropic solutions, which would ease the affordability crisis, and keep the costs off the back of the Cary taxpayers. When elected, I hope to push this, and many other projects off the shelf and into fruition.

Some residents have expressed concern about the rapid growth of Cary amid changes like the potential redevelopment of the Town Hall campus, more nightlife, and other projects. How can Cary grow, especially downtown, without losing its community character?

Citizen input, citizen input, citizen input! At this point, some projects are a “thought,” not a “plan.” So, I caution folks to get involved and let their voice be heard as to what they want, and don’t want, to see happen.

I will watch the town budget, as I do my personal budget — if we don’t have it, we don’t spend it. I will thoroughly investigate, research and actually walk a proposed development before making decisions.

We do not want to develop problems such as Glenwood South experiences: noise, traffic, parking issues, behaviors unfamiliar to Cary. Safety must be first of mind and resources need to be ensured.

What must Cary do to become more inclusive of marginalized residents, including African Americans, people of color, immigrants, poor or working class, and the LGBTQ+ community?

I am extremely committed to the idea of representative government with “liberty and justice for all.” People vote for us to represent them and all their concerns, and I take that seriously.

As such, I spend a great deal of time knocking on doors, attending meet and greets and making calls to citizens of Cary to learn their needs- so I am on top of this.

I believe Cary must look at several areas for success in this area: better communication platforms, especially when getting out the word on benefits available to others, such as the Oasis program (help with utility bills) and Healthy Homes (aid in home rehabilitation)-Addressing broadband deficiencies for some, educational opportunities for people to better understand Cary’s diversity, and Affordable housing options.

How can Cary continue to expand and protect its parks, greenways, and environment?

The major complaint of residents I have met is in the “connectivity” arena. Many new subdivisions are beautifully built but end up with no access to a greenway, or no safe pedestrian connection to shopping or entertainment venues without crossing hazardous roads with no traffic lights installed. I believe our priority should be on the “last mile” of each development. Additionally, we also need to look at older developments still waiting for promises to be kept.

I think the headline here is environmental protection. I truly believe that a focus on having a best-in-class environmental program will guide all other decisions in this arena. Here are some examples of my focus.

I support partnering with the Department of Energy on projects such as AI technology that analyzes landfill materials for possible alternative fuels. I am in favor of more buffers, solar power, recycling, composting, bio-retention areas and rain gardens. To reduce pollution, we need more multimodal transportation, etc.

I’m interested in the use of products like Silva Cell Vaults for pavement tree planting. These cells are placed underground and promote significantly taller tree growth which increases root absorption of stormwater runoff—bring back those tree canopies!

What three issues would you focus on in office that others might not? Why are they important for Cary?

I don’t believe Cary is doing enough for our senior citizens. Most seniors made Cary what it is today and now it’s our turn to reciprocate by assuring their voices are heard and needs met. We must guarantee best efforts towards aging in place. I’ll establish a targeted communication platform dedicated to seniors so they can access town representatives, each other, and a one stop location to aggregate access to senior specific aid, such as help paying utilities, and monies toward home improvements, etc.

DO something about affordable housing for teachers, first-responders, veterans, seniors, etc. Lots of talk, but only marginal results-It’s time for action. See my plan above.

Emphasize public safety and crime prevention: Feeling safe in the town that you live in is my goal. That is why I have met with Cary public officials on this matter. We need a robust police force, more patrolling (including the speed-racers), thought partnership with other municipalities on best practices, and Town-wide safety education program.

What specific life experiences or skills have prepared you for town governance?

I am a former consultant to Cary, so I know its inner workings and issues. I was the regional director for one of the largest nonprofits in the Midwest. I am a 17-year Cary resident. The truth is, my main qualification is being a citizen who is on the pulse of what is needed and desired in our town.

I have always been involved in community, so Town Council is a natural next step for me to continue to serve. Just to name a few, I have been involved with Habitat, Special Olympics, Cary Women’s Giving Network, Senior Advisory, and currently serve on the board of directors of the American Red Cross.

My executive leadership experience includes critical management skills, supervising operations, budgets, and strong, successful strategies. I have an appetite for scouring the landscape for productive advancements, fiscal responsibility, and team leaders. My leadership qualities include: leading by example with principle, communicating a compelling vision, building motivated, high-performing teams, and creating strategic relationships with partner organizations, policymakers, media, etc.

Please make note of any endorsements you’ve received that you consider to be important.

  • I have many noteworthy leaders in my corner and some have offered up kind words such as these:

  • Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht: “I appreciate Mary’s willingness to serve the citizens of Cary. Her moderate and balanced views, expertise in affordable housing, and passion for this community will serve us well.”

  • Marla Dorrel/Marla Dorrel Park: “Having served on the Town Council, I know what it takes, and I can assure you, Mary Insprucker has what it takes.”

  • Brent Miller/Community Leader/Hometown Spirit: “Mary is a public servant, not a politician. I support Mary because she truly is for Cary.”

  • Deborah Meehan: “Already reaching out to the community, Mary is making a deep dive into the concerns of many of her constituents, not the least of which involve over-development, a lack of adjacent infrastructure and the protection of our environment.”

  • Gay Purvis/Amberly Lifestyle Director: “I support Mary because she is sensible, committed, and knowledgeable on how to accomplish exciting success for our town.”

  • Judy Fourie: “I support Mary Insprucker because she is a mover and shaker who will listen to the citizens, and address their issues others have not.”

If you have any other goals or issues that you’d like to address, please do so here.

After my four years in office, I would like to see:

  • Cary residents and business owners benchmarked as the most satisfied in the country

  • Cary is routinely noted as the most ideal place in America for senior citizens

  • Cary as THE destination for achieving the American dream

I resigned from my job in order to run for election. That’s how serious I am about serving Cary. When elected, even though the role is not full time, I will not return to work in order to spend all my working hours on the job of Town Councilperson…its part of my pledge: hard work, dedication, transparency, approachability, and kind, smart, courageous leadership. I want YOU to win this election by casting a vote in YOUR favor. Vote Mary for Cary Insprucker for Cary Town Council At-Large. I won’t let you down! Maryforcary.com